Am I lactose intolerant?

Learn how to read the tell tell signs of lactose intolerance.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose is the sugar found in milk, which can cause digestive problems for people with lactose intolerance. These problems occur when the body is unable to produce enough of the lactase enzyme in the digestive tract, which means the lactose cannot be digested properly, causing uncomfortable symptoms.

Lactose is present in many things you wouldn’t expect including crisps, biscuits, crackers, fruit bars, pasta mixes, iced tea and also some coatings on oral medicines.

Symptoms experienced by people with lactose intolerance usually occur between 30 minutes and two hours after consuming dairy.

symptoms

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Stomach upset

Irritable bowels

Bloating

Stomach cramps

Diarrhoea

Wind

Nausea

Try our

Lactofree discovery tool

To find out if you might be lactose intolerant, you can try our quick and easy discovery tool which has been developed by our Lactofree® health experts. If it seems likely that you are lactose intolerant, you can then go on to learn more about your intolerance with our elimination diet

1

2

3

4

5

Start

Do you regularly suffer from any of the following?

Stomach Upset

Irritable Bowels

Bloating

Stomach Cramps

Diarrhoea

Wind

Nausea

None

1

2

3

4

5

Back

Next

Do you include any of these products in your diet?

Milk

Yogurt

Butter

Cream

Cheese

Ice Cream

None

1

2

3

4

5

Back

Next

Do you have any of these symptoms?

Change in Bowel Habit

Blood/Mucus In Stools

Unintentional Weight Loss

Vomiting

Pain Waking You Up At Night

None

1

2

3

4

5

Back

Next

HMMM, NEARLY THERE...

We need to know more about your symptoms to offer our advice.

Why not ask our Lactofree Medical Experts a question, get in touch with us via Facebook or Twitter.

You might also find it helpful to read more about lactose intolerance or discover more about Lactofree.

1

2

3

4

5

Back

Cows Milk Allergy

An allergy to cows’ milk is often confused with lactose intolerance and it’s important to distinguish between the two. Cows’ milk allergy is likely to occur from birth and is a reaction in the immune system to one or more proteins (casein) found in milk. In some cases this can cause a serious reaction, known as anaphylaxis, which affects the whole body often within minutes of exposure to dairy.

Lactose intolerance does not involve the immune system, so while it can cause discomfort, it won’t produce a dangerous reaction.

If you think you may have a cows’ milk allergy, you should seek advice from your GP or a registered dietitian.